Copyright 2005 George ForganSmith
Acne is, perhaps, the single
treated skin disorder and
has been addressed in a wide
variety of ways. Often the
wisest step is to develop
a program in consultation
with a dermatologist or medical
practitioner. Even with help,
there may be a trial-and-error
process in finding the right
solution. There are also some
solutions advised by alternative
medicine practitioners of
various sorts and we will
also touch on them.
Some mild washing of the face
may be useful. But vigorous
and frequent washing is discouraged
by dermatologists. Topical
creams may be helpful but
overuse can lead to side effects
and problems. One popular
home treatment is salicylic
acid, found in face washes
and medicated facial pads.
It curtails the hair follicles
from shedding excess skin,
which leads to the clogging
of pores. Another home treatment
is benzoyl peroxide, found
in certain soap and face wash
products, but also in topical
creams. It can produce excessive
drying and redness- so it
is often recommended that
one begin by trying it once
a day and, then, if that works,
try it twice. Results should
be apparent after a few weeks.
In the world of orthodox medicine,
there are various types of
prescription medications and
face washes. If you go to
your local drugstore or supermarket,
you can find lots of different
products whose objective is
to treat acne. None of these
products produce instantaneous
results and one part of a
sensible prescription for
treatment is patience. Since
some of these products may
have side effects, you should
know their contents and possible
effects. Over-use of the wrong
product can actually exaggerate
the condition.
Experts generally think that
acne is caused when an excess
of oil, secreted by tiny glands
surrounding the hair follicles
combine with dead skins to
clog the pores of the skin.
Bacteria, chiefly Propionibacterium
acnes or P. acnes develops
in these pore pockets which
leads to the blackheads, white
heads and more common pimples
that we associate with this
unpleasant form.
Some of the prescription topical
solutions include antibiotics.
Antibiotics, along with azelaic
acid can impede the development
of the bacteria, reducing
the ugly inflammation that
characterizes acne.
Comedones, which are the compromised
hair follicles, plugged with
dead cells and sebum, that
cause blackheads, which penetrate
the surface of the skin, and
whiteheads, which operate
at semi-surface levels. They
can actually be treated by
retinoids, which are Vitamin-A
like biochemical formulations,
which actually help to unplug
comedones, paving the way
for topicals, including antibiotics,
to enter into the follicles
and do their damage. Dermatologists
sometimes use the newer retinoids
to curtail further comedone
development.
In the case of severer forms
of acne, dermatologists may
prescribe the less physically
invasive route of oral medicine.
Some common antibiotics, used
to curb the development of
the P. acnes bacteria and
reduce inflammation are doxycycline,
tetracycline and minocyclyine.
The common topical, benzoyl
peroxide, may be used with
antibiotics such as sulfur,
erythromycin or clindamycin.
There can be disturbing side
affects to antibiotics, depending
on the drug and the individual's
sensitivity. Changes in skin
color, an increased propensity
for sunburns, dizziness, stomach
problems can occur. Tetracycline
is contra- indicated in children
and pregnant women. The antibiotic
route must be taken with caution
and with awareness of problems.
Substances such as minocycline
and tetracycline can even
affect the potency of oral
birth control methods.
In very serious cases of nodular
or cystic acne that seems
resistant to treatment, a
dermatologist may prescribe
isotretinoin or "Accutane,"
a retinoid that might be taken
once or twice a day for up
to twenty weeks. Oil glands
actually can be shrunk by
Accutane and there is a marked
effect on the growth of bacteria.
Its great advantage is that
it can prevent scarring and
markedly disappears the acne
in something like 90 per cent
of patients.
The downside of isotretinoin
is that it can cause birth
defects in an unborn child
if it imbibed by a pregnant
woman. So woman undergoing
this treatment often have
two take several forms of
birth control to make sure
they don't get pregnant while
undergoing therapy.
Are there natural treatments
for acne? Alternative medical
practitioners recommend such
substances as pantothenic
acid, a B vitamin, said to
combat stress, a factor that
aggravates acne, grapeseed
extracts and grapefruit seed
extracts; various essential
fatty acids like primrose
or flax seed oil which can
allegedly clear the pores
of the skin, colloidal silver,
said to be a powerful natural
antibiotic; tea tree oil soap-
whose main active constituent
is tea tree oil, said to be
made from a natural antibiotic.
About the Author
Learn more about the treatment
of acne at http://www.acne-sucks.com
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